RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that in federal court
today United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, sentenced DONALD GREY REAMS, 77,
of Spring Hope, North Carolina, to 10 months’ imprisonment followed by 2 years supervised release.
The defendant was given credit for 7 ½ months in confinement, and is to serve 2 ½ months in home
confinement. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $65,956.00.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on
September 4, 2008. On March 4, 2009, REAMS pled guiltyto theft of
government property valued in excess of $1,000.

An investigation revealed that REAMS, who served in the United
States Air Force from April, 1951, to May, 1952, altered documents
to obtain VA benefits and services. After discovering that his
military records had been destroyed in a fire at the national
records center, REAMS obtained a copy of his Defense Department
(DD) Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty). He then modified the form by adding that he had been
awarded the Purple Heart, a Korean Service medal, an Air Force
Overseas ribbon, and a Good Conduct medal. On three occasions,
October 6, 2004; December 9, 2004; and April 8, 2005; REAMS
submitted to the VA the falsified documentation and claiming he had
sustained service-connected injuries/illnesses during his military
active duty time. On June 10, 2005, REAMS received disability
benefits retroactive to November 1, 2004, based on the falsified
documents submitted totaling $65,956.00.

Mr. Holding commented, “It is always a difficult decision to
prosecute a former member of our armed services. Here, however,
the prosecution was necessary to protect the integrity and meaning
of military awards and commendations for those who have truly
earned them.”

Investigators found the original DD Form 214 and compared it
to the altered form submitted. The investigation determined that
REAMS had not received any of the awards that had been added to the
altered document and that any injuries or illness were not active
duty related.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric Evenson served as prosecutor for the government

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www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.

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